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Crocodiles Wait for Water as Yala Park Closes
8 Sep
Summary
- Yala National Park is closing popular areas to animals during a severe drought.
- Emergency water trucks are being used to support wildlife in the park.
- The drought is linked to the El Nino weather pattern, expected to worsen.
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's most visited wildlife sanctuary, is enacting emergency measures to combat its most severe drought in nearly a decade. Beginning next week, park managers will ban tourists from key watering holes and busy areas to ensure animals have unimpeded access to essential water resources. Wildlife rangers are committed to prioritizing the animals' well-being during this critical dry spell.
Daily water deliveries via green tankers are currently supporting the park's diverse wildlife, including spotted deer, wild water buffalo, Tufted Gray Langurs, and leopards. This temporary closure of popular tourist zones is a significant step as Sri Lanka braces for intensified dry conditions, driven by the El Nino weather pattern.
Sri Lanka's meteorological department forecasts a nine-month cycle influenced by El Nino, predicting heavier rains in late 2026 and a subsequent drought from February onwards. The World Meteorological Organization has warned of a potentially strong El Niño globally, with Sri Lanka expected to experience its effects intensely due to its location and the impact of global warming.
